The Minister of National Defence Mr. Panos Panagiotopoulos, visited the 12th Mechanised Infantry Division at Alexandroupoli, where he held discussions with officers, NCOs and conscripts, in the framework of his visit to the D’ Army Corps’ Area of Responsibility in Evros.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos was accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Mihail Kostarakos, the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff Lieutenant General Konstantinos Gkinis and the D’ Army Corps Commander Lieutenant General Athanassios Tselios.
Mr. Panagiotopoulos made the following statement:
“It is a special joy and honour to be in Evros. I am accompanied by the military leadership so as to get in touch, first of all, with the military personnel who try for the best possible result, consisting the strongest arm of the country’s deterrent force.
I visited the 12th Division – and I will also visit the 16th – where I had the chance to be briefed and also to exchange views with Officers, NCOs and the conscripts who are here.
I would like to thank all of them, along with their families, for the valuable services they offer to the Hellenic people and the country.
If Greece and our entire People -notwithstanding their political preferences- is able to move forward during this difficult yet necessary effort for the reformation of the country, this is due to these children who are here and on our islands, making sure we will have peace, security and calmness”.
JOURNALIST: Mister Panagiotopoulos, please tell us if the Ministry’s leadership is troubled by the often suicides we recently had at Evros.
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: I have given strict orders that all Commanders of the military leadership until the Commander of the most remote units fend for our conscripts with fatherly affection and concern.
We must provide them with all kinds of support so that they will be able to complete their service with enthusiasm, pride and success. One of the many reasons I am here for is to examine this issue and in the next days you will see my written orders towards this direction.
JOURNALIST: Among the issues discussed with the military, did you also discuss financial issues; maybe something that is troubling them?
P. PANAGIOTOPOULOS: You should know that all these matters, all the problems experienced by the people serving in the Armed Forces, from the high-ranked Officers, the Officers and NCOs to our own children, these are issues that are troubling us 24/7.
I know that the Armed Forces, just like the rest of the Hellenic People, carry a great historic burden on their backs. I refer to the budgetary cuts that were necessary so that the country could be saved, to avoid bankruptcy, to not decompose; a decomposed country has no Armed Forces, nor other social and public structures.
On the other side, I would like to point out that it is our common belief that, besides the problems, despite the adversities, all personnel in the Armed Forces, Officers and NCOs, have disconnected any problems they might face at their everyday life from the performance of their duty: devotion to the country, devotion to their mission. They honour the oath they have taken to the Constitution and to Greece, they honour the sword they were awarded.
On our side, the political and military leadership, we will do whatever possible to make their daily life less difficult. I don’t say ‘easy’, I say ‘less difficult’, step by step. We will be able to give them what the circumstances will allow us, so that they will be able to perform their National duty in the best possible way, during this critical time for the country”.
